When it comes to optimizing your horse’s health and performance, nutrition plays a critical role. Extruded feeds, with their unique processing method and nutritional benefits, can help horse owners, riders, and stable managers seeking to elevate their feeding programs. Kristyn Sturken, Equine Product Manager of the Sentinel Nutrition Team gives a closer look at the science behind extrusion and the advantages it offers—such as improved digestibility, consistent nutrient delivery, enhanced utilization and easy chewing —and explains why extruded feeds could be a valuable addition to your horse’s diet.  

Kristyn Sturken, equine product manager for Sentinel Horse Feeds, is sharing what horses can actually benefit from extruded feed.

Q: What is bioavailability and how does the extrusion process enhance it?  

Bioavailability is the ability of a substance, nutrient to be absorbed and utilized by the body. The extrusion or pressure-cooking process enhances the bioavailability or digestibility of specific nutrients like starch and protein. Research has shown that heat treatment including extrusion increases the digestibility of starch and protein, and that high temperature combined with high moisture, as with pressure cooking, results in the greatest digestibility.  Increased digestibility optimizes nutrient availability and utilization to the horse

Q:What role does the form of extruded feed play in chewing and saliva production, and why is that important?   

The act of chewing causes or produces saliva production, which is important for starting the digestive process. Saliva acts as a lubricant to moisten and soften food, making it easier to chew and swallow. It also helps neutralize stomach acid by buffering its contents, helping to protect the stomach lining from irritation. The longer a horse or more a horse chews causes increased saliva production and the breakdown of food. Research shows a slower rate of intake for horses eating extruded feeds. 

Q: Can you elaborate on how extrusion impacts starch digestion and helps reduce the risk of colic or laminitis?  

Research has shown that extrusion increases starch availability and digestion of grains in the small intestine, effectively reducing the risk of an outflow of starch to the hindgut. This increase in pre-caecal digestibility of starch has been attributed to the gelatinization or breakdown of the intermolecular starch structure through extrusion, thereby exposing the molecules to greater enzymatic digestion in the small intestine. Additionally, the limiting of starch reaching the hindgut, helps to reduce the potential for digestive disturbances that can lead to certain types of colic and laminitis (founder).  

Q: Are there specific ingredients in extruded feeds that benefit most from the extrusion process?     

Protein and starch benefit substantially from the extrusion process. Improved starch digestibility suggests that more calories are available to the horse for maintaining weight and body condition in less feed. Improved protein digestibility suggests that more essential amino acids are available for sustaining healthy growth and optimal performance.

Q: How does extruded feed compare to traditional options for horses with metabolic conditions or ulcers?  

For horses with certain metabolic conditions or ulcers, less feed is better so that the system is not overloaded with high levels of carbohydrates. The extruded feed form and process allows for incorporating higher fat and fiber levels which results in lower starch and sugar (NSC) levels which can help tremendously when feeding horses with metabolic issues and/or ulcers. The extruded form is also more feed efficient and typically a horse owner can feed 5 to 10% less.   

Q: How can extruded feeds enhance a feeding program tailored for performance or senior horses?   

Extruded feeds are a great choice for all horses including performance and senior horses. The extruded form allows for incorporating high levels of fat and high-quality fiber which many performances horses benefit from the energy or calorie dense feed to help maintain body condition when they are working or performing. High Fat levels also help to support increased stamina in performance horses. 

Senior horses often develop a less efficient digestive tract, a natural part of the aging process, making the high digestibility of an extruded feed perfect for the senior horse. In addition, many times older horses have poor dentition and have trouble chewing feed and/or hay. The extruded feeds break down readily and are very easy to chew. Many extruded feeds also incorporate high levels of fiber which helps those senior horses who cannot chew forage.

Q: Are there any limitations or challenges associated with extruded feed that horse owners should consider?     

There are no limitations when adding extruded feed to your horse’s feed program, there are many benefits! One key thing to keep in mind is that extruded feed is less dense than the typical pellet or textured feed, therefore it is extremely important to weigh your horses feed and feed by weight, not volume to ensure your horses are getting an adequate amount. For example, Sentinel extruded horse feeds weigh approximately 0.85 lbs/quart, and a typical pellet will weigh about 1.4 lb/quart.  

Whether you’re managing the nutritional needs of a performance athlete, favorite trail horse, or retired companion, understanding the benefits of extruded feeds can help you make informed decisions about the best product for your equine companion to help them live their best and healthiest lives!  

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